Needle puller/catheter adaptor coupling device

Abstract

Disclosed is a yoke latch for coupling a needle puller and a catheter adaptor of a vascular access device. The yoke latch generally comprises a push bar, at least one prong attached to the push bar, and at least one locking tab attached to the prong. The yoke latch is generally horseshoe-shaped and straddles the needle puller. When the needle puller and catheter are joined, the locking tab of the yoke latch engage the catheter adaptor preventing its movement relative to the needle puller. A clinician, therefore, can grip the vascular access device by the catheter adaptor, or any part thereof, for better control without having the catheter prematurely uncouple from the needle puller during catheter insertion. The yoke latch also permits one hand yoke latch disengagement and needle puller removal.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is: 
     
       1. A medical device, comprising: a needle device having a first end;   a catheter adapter having a first end adjacent to the first end of the needle device;   a latch movably disposed on the needle device between a first position and a second position, wherein when the latch is in the first position the latch engages the catheter adapter to prevent movement of the catheter adapter longitudinally away from the first end of the needle device and when the latch is in the second position the catheter adapter is free to move longitudinally away from the first end of the needle device wherein the latch comprises a horseshoe shape push bar, at least one prong extending from the push bar and at least one locking tab attached to the prong.   
     
     
       2. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the first end of the needle device defines a cavity for receiving the first end of the catheter adapter. 
     
     
       3. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the catheter adapter defines a groove adjacent to the first end of the catheter adapter for receiving the at least one prong.